Loyalsock Township School District

While we appreciate the convenience of modern transportation, we have observed a significant increase in students operating high-power electric bikes in ways that pose a serious risk of injury to themselves, their peers, and our staff. To ensure the safety of our entire school community, we must clarify the legal requirements and school expectations regarding these vehicles.

• The Law and Age Requirements
It is a common misconception that e-bikes are treated the same as traditional bicycles. Under current state law, the regulations are very specific:

Age Restriction: Motorized electric bicycles and various motor-driven cycles may not be operated by any person under the age of 16. (As per PA Vehicle Code Sec. 3514)

Licensing and Equipment: Many of the “bikes” we see on campus fall into categories that require specific safety equipment or, in some cases, are not permitted on sidewalks or school property at all. Specifically, a few “bikes” require a motor-vehicle driver’s license, vehicle registration, and automobile insurance.

• Why This Matters
As students develop independence, they often lack the situational awareness and reaction speed needed to manage vehicles that can reach speeds of 20–30+ mph. We have recently witnessed several “near-miss” incidents in our parking lots and crosswalks during peak drop-off and pick-up times.

Our primary goal is to prevent a tragedy before it happens. A collision at e-bike speeds can result in life-altering injuries.

We ask that you please review the following guidelines:

Verify the Law: Ensure your child’s mode of transportation is legal for their age group. If your child is under 16, they should not be operating an e-bike to school.

Storage on Campus: Moving forward, any e-bike found on campus that is being operated by an underage student may be held in a secure location until a parent or guardian can retrieve it.

Safety First: For students who ride traditional bicycles, please reinforce the absolute necessity of wearing a helmet and yielding to pedestrians.

We value our students’ independence, but it must be within the bounds of safety and the law. Thank you for your immediate cooperation in keeping our school zone safe for everyone.

A safe and efficient arrival and dismissal process depends on everyone following established traffic patterns and the direction of school staff. A few reminders can help keep students, families and staff moving safely and efficiently.

• Loyalsock Township High School
To help reduce congestion on Loyalsock Drive and improve traffic flow through the drop-off area, families may now use Door 1 (main entrance) or Door 2 (auditorium entrance) for student drop-off. Using both entrances allows more vehicles to move through the former bus loop efficiently and helps reduce backups on campus and on Loyalsock Drive.

• Loyalsock Township Middle School
Student drop-off takes place from the right-hand lane only. The left-hand lane should be used by vehicles that have already completed drop-off and are exiting the campus. Please do not pass vehicles in the drop-off lane.

• Donald E. Schick Elementary School
Families are encouraged to avoid parking along Four Mile Drive during arrival and dismissal. Please keep traffic moving, follow the directions of school staff assisting with traffic and remain attentive to students and vehicles around you.

For everyone’s safety, please do not use a cellphone while driving on school property. Keeping your attention on the road and your surroundings helps our staff safely manage traffic and, most importantly, helps protect our students.

At the Bus Stop

• Arrive at the designated bus stop on time and wait in a safe location away from the roadway.
• Do not run, chase, play or engage in horseplay while waiting for the bus.
• Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching it.
• When crossing the roadway to board or after exiting the bus, follow the driver’s directions and look carefully for traffic.

On the Bus

• Take a seat promptly and remain seated while the bus is moving.
• Keep the aisle clear and keep hands, feet and belongings inside the bus.
• Never distract or interfere with the driver while the bus is moving.
• Do not throw objects inside the bus, out the windows or at the bus.
• Follow the driver’s directions. The driver’s ability to maintain a safe environment depends on students cooperating with instructions.

When Getting Off the Bus

• Remain seated until the bus has come to a complete stop.
• Exit carefully and follow the driver’s directions.
• After exiting, move away from the bus and roadway and remain alert to traffic.
• If a student needs to cross in front of the bus, wait for the driver’s signal and make sure the driver can see you.

Drivers have a responsibility, too. Slow down around school buses. When a school bus is stopped to pick up or drop off students, motorists must stop as required by law. Never pass a stopped school bus when its red lights are flashing and stop arm is extended.

Please review school bus safety tips and state laws provided by the Commonwealth. Download the “School Bus Safety Activity Book” to work through with your student.

For the safety of our students and staff, all parents, guardians and visitors must follow the district’s visitor procedures when entering a school building.

When arriving at a school, please:

• Use the designated entrance and activate the door camera/intercom.
• Be prepared to state your name and reason for visiting.
• Be prepared to present a valid form of identification.
• Follow all visitor management and sign-in procedures before entering the building.

These procedures help our schools maintain a safe and secure environment while ensuring that staff know who is in the building at all times.

Please do not attempt to enter a school through an unauthorized entrance or follow another person through a secured door. If you are visiting a school, allow staff to assist you through the proper process.

For more information, review our School Visitors policy (Policy 907).

Keeping our schools safe is a shared responsibility. Students, families, staff and community members all play an important role in helping maintain a safe school environment.

If something seems unusual, concerning or out of place, don’t assume someone else will report it. Say something.

Be aware of your surroundings and report concerns such as:

• Unusual activity or situations — An unattended bag, package or other unfamiliar item; an unfamiliar person in an unexpected area; or a door or entrance that appears to have been left unsecured. Do not touch, move or investigate an unfamiliar or unattended item. Move away from the area and report it.
• Concerning questions or behavior — Someone seeking unusual information about school schedules, routines, students, staff or building security.
• Something that doesn’t seem right — Trust your instincts. If you see or hear something that raises a safety concern, let a trusted adult or school staff member know.

Report a Safety Concern
If you have a concern about the safety or security in one of our schools, contact our School Safety & Security Coordinator Mike Knight at 570-220-0180.

Be ready to provide:

• What you saw or heard
• Where it happened
• When it happened
• Who was involved, if known
• Any other details that may help school officials understand the situation

You don’t have to know whether something is a threat before reporting it. When in doubt, say something.

Families are encouraged to remind students to:

• Check first. Before going anywhere with someone, accepting a ride or changing plans, check with a parent, guardian or trusted adult.
• Keep their distance. Never approach an unfamiliar vehicle or person who is attempting to get their attention from a vehicle.
• Trust their instincts. If someone or something makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe, move away and tell a trusted adult.
• Speak up. Students should know they can say “no,” get away from an uncomfortable situation and seek help from a trusted adult.
• Stay with others. Whenever possible, walk with a friend or group rather than alone.
• Know where to get help. Students should know which adults they can turn to at school, at home and in their community if they feel unsafe.

If your child tells you about an interaction that made them uncomfortable, listen, take the concern seriously and report it when appropriate.

Teaching students to recognize, respond and report helps empower them to make safe choices at school and in the community.

Safe2Say Something is Pennsylvania’s anonymous reporting system for students, parents, school staff and community members to report concerns about the safety and well-being of students and school communities.

If you see or hear something that could pose a safety concern — including potential violence, threats, bullying, self-harm or other concerning behavior — you can report it through Safe2Say Something.

Reports can be submitted 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are reviewed by the Safe2Say Something Crisis Center before being shared with the appropriate school or emergency response team.

Submit a Report

• 24/7 Hotline: 1-844-SAF-2SAY (1-844-723-2729)
• Online: safe2saypa.org
• Mobile: Safe2Say Something app

When making a report, provide as much information as you can. Details about what you observed, where and when it occurred, and who may be involved can help trained professionals determine the appropriate response.

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

Learn more about Safe2Say Something